Tried to drag ex out of New Mills takeaway

A man who tried to drag his ex-girlfriend out of a New Mills takeaway in a late-night assault has been given a community order.

Laura Doughty had been in an on-off relationship with Daniel Lee Powell for around ten months before they split up on January 16, High Peak Magistrates’ Court heard.

There had been previous issues with Powell’s jealousy and of him accusing Ms Doughty of flirting with and texting other men, prosecutor John Cooper said.

On January 26, Powell began texting Ms Doughty at around 7.15am and the texting continued throughout the day. After finishing her shift at work in New Mills just after 10pm, Ms Doughty began walking towards her car but then saw Powell waiting for her.

He began asking her who else she had been texting and asked to see her phone but Ms Doughty refused. He grabbed hold of her and tried to get her phone out of her pocket but she managed to get into the Saffron takeaway. Staff there said she could use their phone but as she did so, Powell came into the takeaway and grabbed it off her.

He then grabbed hold of her and tried dragging her out of the takeaway so she shouted at takeaway staff to call police.

As he continued dragging her, she fell onto the floor and Powell picked her up by her arms.

Once takeaway staff said they had called police, Powell left the scene.

The 25-year-old, of Lupton Street, Denton, admitted assault by beating.

Representing himself in court, he said: “I wasn’t intending this to be how it happened.”

He said he had asked if she wanted him to meet her from work before and she had said no but had then got angry with him because he had not.

Powell was given a 12-month community order with 160 hours’ unpaid work. He must pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 surcharge.

Magistrates made a restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Doughty in any way and from going to her home or work address for two years.